Scanning transmission electron microscopy at high resolution

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1974 Jan;71(1):1-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.71.1.1.

Abstract

We have shown that a scanning transmission electron microscope with a high brightness field emission source is capable of obtaining better than 3 A resolution using 30 to 40 keV electrons. Elastic dark field images of single atoms of uranium and mercury are shown which demonstrate this fact as determined by a modified Rayleigh criterion. Point-to-point micrograph resolution between 2.5 and 3.0 A is found in dark field images of micro-crystallites of uranium and thorium compounds. Furthermore, adequate contrast is available to observe single atoms as light as silver.

MeSH terms

  • Crystallography / instrumentation
  • Mercury
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / instrumentation*
  • Silver
  • Thorium
  • Uranium

Substances

  • Silver
  • Uranium
  • Thorium
  • Mercury